10 Medicinal Plants Approved by the Department of Health 1. Lagundi (Vitex negundo L.

) Common names: Dangla (Ilokano); five-leaved chaste tree, horseshoe vitex Indication: Leaves and flowering tops decoction, syrup, tablets and capsules for coughs, colds, fever and asthma. Description: A shedding shrub or small tree up to 8 m tall, bark surface slightly rough, peeling off in papery flakes, pale reddish-brown. Leaflets 3-5, narrowly elliptical Fruit spherical to broadly egg-shaped, 3-6 mm long, purple or black when mature. Found in: in humid places or along watercourses, in waste places and mixed open forest Parts used: Leaves and flowering tops Special precautions: Make sure to have the five-leaved varieties, as there are other varieties of lagundi. Traditional uses: a. roots and leaves for pain, bitter tonic, expectorant and diuretic b. sap from crushed leaves for coughs and sore throat c. leaf decoction for wounds, ulcers, aromatic baths, and internally to promote the flow of milk, to induce menstruation, against gastric colic, and against flatulence d. seeds boiled and eaten to prevent the spread of toxins from poisonous bites of animals e. flowers for diarrhea, cholera and liver disorders 2. Yerba Buena (Clinopodium douglasii) Common name: Peppermint Indications and preparations: for pain, cough, colds, nausea, dizziness, and pruritus Description: a small, multi-branching herb with small elliptical leaves Parts utilized: leaves, sap of plant Traditional uses: a. For pain in different parts of the body as headache, stomachache- boil chopped leaves in two glasses of water for 15 minutes. Cool and strain. Divide decoction into two parts and drink one part every three hours b. Rheumatism, arthritis and headache crush the fresh leaves squeeze sap. Massage sap on painful parts with eucalyptus. c. Cough and colds get about 10 fresh leaves and soak in a glass of hot water. Drink as tea. Acts as an expectorant. d. Swollen Gums steep 6 grams of fresh plant in a glass of boiling water for 30 minutes. Use solution as gargle. e. Toothache cut fresh plant and squeeze sap. Soak a piece of cotton in the sap and insert this in aching tooth cavity. Mouth should be rinsed by gargling salt solution before inserting the cotton. To prepare salt solution add 5 grams of table salt to one glass of water. f. Menstrual and gas pain soak a handful of leaves in a glass of boiling water. Drink infusion. It induces menstrual flow and sweating. g. Nausea and fainting crush leaves and apply at nostrils of patient h. Insect bites crush leaves and apply juice on affected part or pound leaves until paste-like. Then rub this on affected part. i. Pruritis- boil plant alone or with eucalyptus in water. Use decoction as wash on affected area 3. Sambong (Blumea balsamifera L. DC) Common names: Sambong (Tagalog); lakad-bulan (Bikol); Ngai camphor (English) Indications: Diuretic in hypertension; dissolves kidney stones Description: Erect, semi-woody, aromatic herb or shrub about 4 m tall; Leaves alternate, coarse, large with slightly toothed margins. Flowerheads stalked, terminal panicles, yellowish-white flowers numerous Found in: In roadsides, fields, lowland and mountainous regions Parts used: Leaves and flowering tops Special precautions: Avoid using with other diuretics. When taking diuretics, eat at least one banana a day. Traditional use: Anti- edema, diuretic, anti- urolithiasis -boil chopped leaves in

water for 15 minutes until one glassful remains. Cool and strain. Divide decoction into 3 parts. Drink one part 3 times a day. 4. Tsaang Gubat (Carmona retusa (Vahl) Masam.) Common names: Putputai (Bikol); alangit (Bisaya); forest tea, wild tea. Indications: pills, leaf decoction for gastroenteritis; as gargle to prevent cavities Description: Shrub or much-branched small tree 1 4 m tall. Leaves simple, coarse, alternate, toothed towards the apex, gradually narrowing towards base, sometimes two or three arising from the same point. Flowers white, small, axillary, one to four from a common stalk. Fruit round, 4 5 mm in diameter, yellow-orange when ripe. Found in: In secondary forests at low and medium altitudes. Sometimes cultivated as ornamentals. Parts used: Leaves Traditional uses: o Diarrhea boil the following amount of chopped leaves in 2 glasses of water for 15 minutes or until amount of water goes down to 1 glass. Cool and strain.Divide decoction into 4 parts. Let patient drink 1 part every 3 hours o Stomachache- wash leaves and chop. Boil chopped leaves in 1 glass of water for 15 minutes. Cool and filter, strain and drink. 5. Niyog- Niyogan (Quisqualis Indica L.) Common names: Tartaraok (Tagalog); balitadham (Bisaya); Rangoon creeper, Chinese honeysuckle, liane vermifuge. Indications: Fruit (kernel) anthelmintic; leaves poultice for headache. Description: Woody climber up to 8 m, young branchlets sparsely pubescent. Leaves opposite, untire, 7 15 cm long. Inflorescence erminal or axillary clusters of fragrant, tubular, showy flowers varying in color from white to pink to red. Petals 10 20 mm long. Fruit ellipsoidal, long, with 5 prominent wings lengthwise. Fruit when mature taste like almonds. Found in: In forest margins at low altitude, in gardensand backyards. Native to Asian tropics and throughout Malesian region. Parts used: Fruits Special precautions: Follow recommended dosage. Overdose causes hiccups. Traditional uses: For washing wounds- may be used twice a day. For diarrhea- may be taken 3-4 twice a day. As gargle and to relieve toothache. Warm decoction is used for gargle. Freshly pounded leaves are used for toothache. Guava leaves are to be washed well and chopped. Boil for 15 minutes at low fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain before use. 6. Akapulko (Cassia alata L.) Common names: Katanda (Tagalog); andadasi (Ilokano); palochina (Bisaya); ringworm bush, seven golden candlesticks, bayabas-bayabasan Indications: Katanda (Tagalog); andadasi (Ilokano); palochina (Bisaya); ringworm bush, seven golden candlesticks Description: A shrub, 1-2 m tall, with thick branches, pubescent. Leaves with 8-20 pairs of leaflets oblong-elliptical. Flowers with oblong sepals. Fruit tetragonal, winged and glabrous. Seeds quadrangular, flattened, and shiny Found in: Abundantly naturalized in South East Asia, and occasionally planted throughout the region for medicinal and ornamental purposes Parts used: Leaves Special precautions: Apply thinly twice daily on affected part. Improvement should occur 2 3 weeks after treatment. Traditional uses: o As antifungal- Fresh, matured leaves pounded. Apply as soap to the affected part 1-2 times a day 7. Ulasimang-bato (Peperonia pellucida) Common names: Ulasimang-bato, pansit-pansitan (Tagalog); olasiman-ihalas (Cebu,Bisaya); tangon-tangon (Bikol); peperonia (English) Indications: Infusion, decoction or salad for gout and rheumatic pains; pounded plant warm poultice for boils and abscesses

 Description: Small fleshy herb up to 30 cm tall. Stem initially erect, rooting at nodes, glabrous. Leaves spirally arranged, simple and membranous when dry. Flowers bisexual, without a stalk, floral bracts rounded. Fruit fleshy, one-seeded Found in: in disturbed habitats, in gardens and cultivated areas that are damp and lightly shaded, on damp hard surfaces such as walls, roofs, steep gullies, and in flower pots Parts used: aerial plant parts Special precautions: Avoid using with other pain relievers, diuretics Traditional uses: o Lowers uric acid. (rheumatism and gout)- Wash leaves well. One and a half cup leaves are boiled in two glassfuls of water over lower fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain. Divide into three parts and drink each part three times a day after meals. o May also be eaten as salad. Wash the leaves well. Prepare one and a half cups of leaves. Divide into 3 parts and take as salad three times s day. 8. Bawang (Alium sativum L.) Common names: Ajos (Bisaya); garlic Indications: Fresh cloves, capsules for lowering blood cholesterol levels; antiseptic. Description: Erect, low, annual herb, 30-60 cm high. Leaves flat, or V-shaped in transverse section, alternate, arranged in two opposite rows, arising from underground bulbs. Cloves enclosed by papery protective coats. Flowers often imperfect or absent Found in: cultivated all over the world. Probably originated from Central Asia Parts used: Leaves and bulbs (cloves) Special precautions: Avoid taking with medicines for lowering blood sugar, and medicines for thinning blood. Dosage must not exceed 6-8 cooked cloves a day. Stomach ulcer may develop if garlic is eaten raw. Traditional uses: o for lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels-- May be fried, roasted, soaked in vinegar for 30 minutes or blanched in boiled in water for 5 minutes. Take 2 pieces three times a day after meals. o for headache, insect bites, ringworm, athletes foot, toothache, rheumatismPound a small piece and apply to affected part. 9. Ampalaya (Momordica charantia (L.) DC) Common names: mpalaya (Tagalog); paria (Ilokano); palia (Bisaya); bitter gourd, bitter cucumber, bitter melon (English) Indications: lowers blood sugar levels; for fertility regulation Description: Monoecious, annual vine up to 5m long. Stem 5-ridged. Leaf blade broad. Flowers, yellow. Fruit, irregularly warty, orange when ripe, dehiscing. Seeds brown. Found in: In lowland rain forest, thickets, hedges, waste places, and roadsides. Parts used: Young leaves Special precautions: Blood sugar levels should be monitored regularly. The native variety with small bitter fruit is recommended. Traditional uses: o To lower blood sugar levels- Gather and wash young leaves very well. Chop. Boil 6 tablespoons in two glassfuls of water for 15 minutes under low fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain. Take one third cup 3 times a day after meals. Leaves may be blanched/ steamed and eaten glassful 2 times a day. 10. Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Common names: Guava, bayabas (Tagalog); guyabas (Iloko); Guava (English). Indications: antidiarrheal and antiseptic Description: Shallow-rooted shrub or small tree, up to 10 m tall, branching from the base and often producing suckers. Bark, smooth, green to red brown, peeling off in thin flakes. Leaves opposite and with glands. Flowers solitary or in 2-3 flowered cymes. Seeds of the fruit are usually numerous, embedded in pulp, yellowish, 3 - 5 mm long. Found in: Common in the Philippines Parts used: Leaves, fruits

 Special precautions: Eating too much guava fruit may cause constipation Traditional uses: o For diarrhea- may be taken 3-4 twice a day o For washing wounds, skin infections, feminine hygiene, and mouthwash- Guava leaves are to be washed well and chopped. Boil for 15 minutes at low fire. Do not cover pot. Cool and strain before use. a VITAL STATISTICS Statistics refers to systematic approach in obtaining, organizing and analyzing numerical facts so that conclusion can be drawn from them. Vital Statistics refers to the systematic study of vital events such as births, illnesses, marriages, divorce, separation and deaths. Statistics of disease (morbidity) and death (mortality) indicate the state of health of a community and the success or failure of health work. Statistic on population and the characteristics such as age, sex, and distribution are obtained from the National Statistics Office (NSO). Births and deaths are registered in the Office of the Local Civil Registrar of the municipality or city. In cities, births and deaths are registered at the City Health Department. Use of Vital Statistics Indices of the health and illness status of a community Serves as bases for planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating community health nursing programs and services. Sources of Data Population census Registration of Vital data Health Survey Studies and researches Techniques in collecting data Observation Interviews Surveys Rates and Ratio: Rate- shows the relationship between a vital event and those persons exposed to the occurrence of the said event, within a given area and during a specified unit of time, it is evident that the person experiencing the event (numerator) must come from the total population exposed to the risk of the same event (denominator). Types of Health Indicators CBR- Crude Birth Rate CDR- Crude Death Rate IMR- Infant Mortality/Morbidity Rate MMR- Maternal Mortality/Morbidity Rate NDR- Neonatal Death Rate Crude Birth Rate- measure of one characteristics of natural growth of increase of population CBR = total number of live births registered X 1000 estimated population as of July 1of same year 2. Crude Death Rate- measure of one mortality from all causes which may result in a decrease in population CDR = total number of deaths registered X 1000 estimated population as of July 1of same year 3.Infant Mortality Rate- measures the risk of dying during the first year of life, good index of the general health condition of a community since it reflects the changes in the environment and medical condition of a community. IMR = total number of deaths registered in under 1 yr. old X 1000 total number of registered live births of the same calendar year 4. Maternal Mortality Rate- measures the risk of dying from causes related to pregnancy, labor and puerperium ; index of OB care needed and received by the women in the community MMR = total # of deaths from maternal cause registered for a given year X 1000 total # of registered live births of same calendar year 5. Fetal Death Rate- measures pregnancy wastage. Death of the product of conception occurs prior to its complete expulsion, irrespective of duration of pregnancy. FDR = total # of fetal deaths registered for a given year X 1000 total # of registered live births of same year 6.Neonatal Death Rate- measures the risk of dying the 1st month of life; serves as an index of the effects of prenatal care and obstetrical management of the newborn. NDR = No. of Deaths under 28 days of age registered in a given calendar year X 1000

No. of live births registered of the same year 7.Specific Death Rate- describes more accurately the risk of exposure of certain classes or groups to a particular diseases. To understand the forces of mortality, the rates should be made specific provided the data are available for both the population and the event in their specifications. Specific rates render more comparable and thus reveal the problem of public health. SDR = Deaths in specific class/ group registered in a given calendar year X 100,000 Estimated pop. as of July 1 in the same specified class/ group of said year Cause Specific Death Rate = No. of death from specific cause registered in a given year X 100,000 Estimated pop. as of July 1st of the same year Age Specific Death Rate = No. of death in a particular age group registered in a given year X 100,000 Estimated pop. as of July 1st of the same year

Sex Specific Death Rate = No. of deatth of a certain sex registered registered in a given year 100,000 Estimated pop. as of July 1st of the same year 8.Incidence Rate- measures the frequency of occurrence of phenomenon during a given period of time; deals only with new cases. IR = number of new cases of particular disease registered during a specified period of time X 100,000 estimated population as July 1 of same year 9.Prevalence Rate- measures the proportion of the population which exhibits a particular disease at a particular time; new and old number of cases PR = number of new cases of particular disease registered during a specified period of time X 100 estimated population as July 1 of same year 10. Proportionate Mortality (Death Ratios)- shows the numerical relationship between deaths from all causes ( or group of causes), age (or group of age) etc., and total no. of deaths from all causes in all ages taken together PM = No. of registered deaths from specific cause or age for a given calendar year X 100 No. of registration deaths from all causes, all ages in same year 11. Attack Rate- A more accurate measure of the risk of exposure. Useful in epidemiological investigations. AR = No. of persons acquiring a disease registered in a given year X 100 No. of exposed to same disease in same year 12. Swaroops Index- Index of deaths above 50 years old Swaroops Index = Total deaths, 50 years and above X 100 Total deaths all ages in same year Presentation of Data Observation of events in the community are presented in the form of tables, charts, and graphs. Line or curved graphs- shows peaks, valleys and seasonal trends. Also used to show trends of birth and death rates over a period of time. Bar graphs- each bar represents or expresses a quantity in terms of rates or percentages of a particular observation like causes of illness or deaths. Area diagram (Pie Charts)- shows the relative importance of parts to the whole Functions of the Nurse Collects data Tabulates data Analysis and interpret the data Evaluate the data Recommends redirection and strengthening of specific areas in health program as needed.